NFL team officials are just as frustrated as their fans when their defenses disappoint. Shaky play against the pass and wilting vs. the run will prompt a lot of changes the following offseason, with both free agency and the draft used to upgrade defensive personnel.
The 2024 offseason was no different, with some teams getting busier than others to improve their run stopping, pass rush, and coverage. Some also made schematic changes with new coaching philosophies and play-callers.
Here's looking at the six most improved defenses based on their combined moves ahead of the 2024 regular season.
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Philadephia Eagles
2023 defensive rankings: No. 30 in scoring, No. 26 in yardage
Key additions: EDGE Bryce Huff, EDGE Jalyx Hunt, LB Devin White, LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB Oren Burks, S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, CB Quinyon Mitchell, CB Cooper DeJean, DC Vic Fangio
The Eagles revamped their pass rush for Fangio's new 3-4 scheme with Huff and Hunt helping Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat with Haason Reddick gone. They also added much-needed linebacker range, adding support Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis in the front seven.
Philadelphia should also be more effective in second-level coverage. Gardner-Johnson was a great get from the Lions to set up the secondary overall haul around Darius Slay. Highly drafted rookie corners Mitchell and DeJean round out the base and nickel coverage.
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Detroit Lions
2023 defensive rankings: No. 25 in scoring, No. 23 in yardage
Key additions: EDGE Marcus Davenport, DT D.J. Reader, CB Carlton Davis, CB Terrion Arnold, CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
The Lions have had a solid, multiple-offseason plan for defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, with Brad Holmes' drafting of Aidan Hutchinson in 2022 being the centerpiece. They continued to get more help up front and decided to get more aggressive on the back end with more reliable defensive backs.
Their pass defense was a little too leaky late last year, and they needed to take advantage of better pressure. The Lions succeeded in raising their playmaking quotient with Arnold in the first round and Davis via trade.
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Los Angeles Rams
2023 defensive rankings: No. 18 in scoring, No. 18 in yardage
Key additions: DT Braden Fiske, DT Tyler Davis, EDGE Jared Verse, EDGE Brennan Jackson, CB Darious Williams, CB Tre'Davious White, S Kamren Curl, S Kamren Kinchens
The Rams saw the retirement of future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald and the departure of his Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator, Raheem Morris, to become a head coach again. Yet, with some quick reinforcements for the front-seven and Chris Shula ready to replace Morris, the outlook seems brighter.
Former Florida State teammates Fiske and Verse should have immediate impacts; Williams and White restore some corner experience a year removed from Jalen Ramsey; and the two Kamrens give them better pop inside for the secondary. This group adds nicely to a fine 2023 draft class to accelerate the reload.
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Green Bay Packers
2023 defensive rankings: No. 13 in scoring, No. 22 in yardage
Key additions: LB Edgerrin Cooper, S Xavier McKinney, S Kitan Oladapo, S Javon Bullard, DC Jeff Hafley
The Packers were pretty solid in a few areas last season, but they should be better in the secondary with McKinney and Bullard providing a 1-2 veteran-rookie upgrade at safety behind Cooper, who can be the league's best rookie linebacker.
Hafley brings good NFL experience and should easily transition from head coach at Boston College, helping clean up plenty for Green Bay's attempt to go right back to the playoffs.
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Jacksonville Jaguars
2023 defensive rankings: No. 16 in scoring, No. 19 in yardage
Key additions: DT Arik Armstead, DT Maason Smith, CB Ronald Darby, CB Jarrian Jones, CB Deantre Prince, S Darnell Savage, DC Ryan Nielsen
The Jaguars worked on their defensive front and some on their secondary to build around talented first-rounders Josh Allen and Travon Walker.
Nielsen brings a Saints-style defense that worked well in Atlanta last season. Expect the Jaguars to make much better use of their pass-rush and coverage talent this season.
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Chicago Bears
2023 defensive rankings: No. 19 in scoring, No. 12 in yardage
Key additions: EDGE Austin Booker, S Kevin Byard, S Jonathan Owens, DC Eric Washington
The Bears didn't have too much more room to go up to complete the transition to an elite unit, but they do get different coach support for defensive-minded Matt Eberflus. They added the pass rush and secondary to help their overall strengths, from Montez Sweat to Jaylon Johnson.
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Eberflus now has all the playmakers in place to complement an improved offense, allowing his group to be in more favorable "tee-off" mode in 2024.
